Trump rejects report on China’s alleged role in Jordan base attack

US President Donald Trump has dismissed reports alleging that Chinese entities provided Iran with satellite imagery of a US military base in Jordan before an attack that killed three American service members in July.

The report, published by The Wall Street Journal, claimed that Iranian officials obtained satellite images of the US facility from Chinese companies ahead of the attack. The imagery was reportedly used to help Iran gather information about the American military position.

The allegations have raised fresh questions about the involvement of China in the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. However, Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the report.

Trump was asked whether he would raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their expected meeting later this month. Rather than directly confirming whether the matter would be discussed, Trump compared China’s surveillance activities with those conducted by the United States.

The reported incident comes at a particularly sensitive time for US-China relations, with Washington and Beijing balancing strategic competition with efforts to maintain diplomatic communication.

The United States has maintained a military presence in Jordan for years, viewing the country as an important partner in regional security and a key location for operations and support across the Middle East. The July attack, which reportedly killed three US personnel, added to concerns over the vulnerability of American forces amid heightened regional tensions.

The allegations involving Chinese satellite imagery could potentially complicate Washington’s relationship with Beijing if substantiated. China has maintained close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, while also opposing some international measures targeting Tehran.

Recent media reports have also highlighted Beijing’s position at the International Atomic Energy Agency, where China opposed a resolution directed against Iran.

Despite the latest controversy, Trump again emphasized his relationship with Xi, saying the two sides had behaved appropriately toward each other. His comments appeared to signal an effort to prevent the latest allegation from overshadowing broader US-China ties.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet in the United States on September 24, although Beijing has not yet formally confirmed the meeting.

The reported satellite imagery episode adds another layer to an already complicated geopolitical picture. If the allegations are eventually verified, they could trigger further scrutiny in Washington over China’s intelligence activities and its relationship with Iran. For now, however, the claim remains unverified, and Trump has publicly rejected the reported account.